The New Brunswick government recognized two advocates for their work advancing human rights and equity at a ceremony in Fredericton on Oct. 9.
Anita Joseph of Elsipogtog First Nation received the Human Rights Award. Chinazam Igwe, a Grade 12 student in Moncton, received the Youth Human Rights Award.
Lt.-Gov. Louise Imbeault presented the awards at Government House. “Anita Joseph and Chinazam Igwe are human rights champions who reach out beyond their traditional circles to bring New Brunswickers of all backgrounds together,” she said.
Indigenous health-care equity
Joseph has worked for five years on a research study called Eimeg tan tleiaoltieg (We are home where we belong): Home for Life. The study aims to help Indigenous elders continue to live in their own homes as long as possible.
Joseph interviews Elsipogtog elders in Mi’kmaq, their first language, as part of the community-based research team. She also sits on the restorative justice committee in Elsipogtog and provides end-of-life care to community members, offering prayers in Mi’kmaq.
“I am extremely honoured to be a recipient of this prestigious award,” said Joseph. “I will continue to honour and carry it in my heart for the rest of my days.”
Youth advocacy
Igwe organized the first Elevate: Empowering Black Youth Summit in March 2025. The event brought together more than 100 Black high school students from the Greater Moncton area.
Igwe founded Youth Innovation and Professional Empowerment, which hosted the summit. After immigrating to New Brunswick, she raised funds to buy books by Black authors and donate them to her middle school library.
“I turned to books in middle school to navigate my early experiences with anti-Black racism, which led me to start a diverse book fundraiser,” said Igwe. “Over the years, my advocacy has grown through poetry, grassroots work and community projects promoting diversity and inclusion in New Brunswick. This award reminds me that human rights work is a collective effort, shaped by countless contributors here and around the world, from whom I continue to learn and collaborate.”
Recognition program
The New Brunswick Human Rights Commission established the Human Rights Award in 1988. The commission created the Youth Human Rights Award in 2019.
According to the commission, the awards celebrate individuals and organizations who have advanced human rights, equality, diversity and inclusion in New Brunswick.
New Brunswick Human Rights Commission chair Amber Chisholm said the recipients made a major impact within their communities. “Through their unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of equity and inclusion in all that they do, Anita Joseph and Chinazam Igwe exemplify what it means to be a modern-day champion of human rights,” she said.
